It’s almost bare-ankle season, folks. Today our style expert dishes on how she’s wearing three fashionable sneakers this spring. Plus:
This past winter — frigid, slushy, and seemingly interminable — didn’t present the ideal conditions for testing sneakers. But as a style writer, I do a lot of wacky things in service of fashion. So when I wasn’t tromping around in ugly, outfit-ruining snow boots, I spent this freezing February pacing my Brooklyn apartment (and occasionally venturing outside) in more than a dozen pairs of totally weather-inappropriate shoes. Sustained by visions of springtime, I was looking for chic, wear-anywhere styles that paired well with both casual and polished ensembles. I gravitated toward low and lean silhouettes, stuck to classic designs, and avoided microtrends (sorry, freaky toe shoes). In the end, I found eight stylish-yet-practical pairs to feature in our brand-new guide. Now that the grass is finally poking through and the air is warming up, here are three I’m personally most excited to lace up this season — and how I’m styling them beyond casual fits. For swapping your ballet flats out: The Adidas Tokyo Shoe has the casual DNA of a sneaker, but with a lithe, elevated silhouette. (It reminds me a bit of the classic Adidas Samba with a slimmer profile.) I’ve been styling these as I would a pair of ballet flats: with pooling wide-legs, voluminous balloon pants, slinky midi skirts, and more. Because of their ultra-minimal rubber soles, these sneakers feel more like house shoes than athletic trainers — so they’re best on days when I’m doing less walking. For a sporty, trendier style: A new-to-me discovery from my testing were these streamlined, surprisingly cushy Reebok Women’s Ultra-Lo sneakers. The design looks speedy, but the satin fabric on this pair feels reminiscent of the ballet-inspired styles from high-end brands like Miu Miu — at a tiny fraction of the price. I have these shoes in red, and am loving how they pair with dresses, track pants, and jorts. For keeping it professional: I’ve also fallen for this leather version of the Nike Cortez — a sleek, pared-down iteration of the old-school runners. This pair has the same retro shape and comfy midsole cushioning as its predecessor. But the collars and insoles have less padding, and the perforated Swoosh gives these sneakers a more-polished appearance that goes nicely with an office-ready trouser, a slim cigarette jean, or a silk pant. Of course, that’s not all — we recommend five other comfy, fashion-forward sneakers in our new guide, including a brushed suede style that fits on wider feet and a trim and charming pair. Any of which are sure to offer a welcome reprieve from snow boots. Every single pair of chic sneakers we recommend→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
In the words of gifts editor Hannah Morrill: “We made it through winter, and the newness of spring, in all its forms, is a gift.” Happily, Hannah handpicked plenty of small delights (beyond stylish sneakers) to help us celebrate. Her ideas for welcoming the season include a beautiful cotton cardigan, a lovely floral-themed garland, and a delightful transparent rainbow umbrella. Gifts for your springtime shoppies→
The most breathable hat we’ve ever tested, this warm-weather staple is made of lightweight UPF 50 fabric with breezy mesh venting. Plus, it has a quick-drying sweatband that makes it ideal for hot temps.
As first steps turn into gleeful runs, you’ll likely want to strap a pair of shoes on your toddler’s pudgy, squirmy feet. Our little testers tried almost 30 pairs of “first walker” shoes in both a wet and rainy spring and a hot and humid summer. The best ones have delightful designs, are slip-resistant, and are simple enough for kids to put on by themselves. Speaking of spring style, the crowd at Milan fashion week had some ideas on how to dress for the season. We’re taking notes. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
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